How to Support Overdose Awareness Day

By: Jackie Polk, recovery advocate

If you asked me six years ago how I thought I’d die, I would have said, “a drug overdose.”

When I was in active addiction, I experienced multiple overdoses that could have easily ended my life. I’m grateful every day that they didn’t, so I can share my story of recovery and hope with others who struggle with substance use.

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is this week, and it got me thinking about the fact that I was almost one of the hundreds of people who die every day from a drug overdose.

There is so much stigma surrounding drug use and mental health issues – and that stigma can be deadly. If we can’t talk openly about substance use, how can we hope to prevent overdoses?

As an advocate for sobriety and recovery, I share my experience of addiction to raise awareness and encourage others not to struggle in silence – substance use impacts so many people and there is no shame in getting help.

If you want to help fight stigma and prevent overdoses, here are some steps you can take:

• Educate Yourself. Take the time to learn about substance use disorder and strategies for prevention, recovery and treatment. Listen to people who have struggled with drug use and try to understand their experiences without shame or judgment.

• Raise Awareness. Talk to your friends and family about substance use and overdose. If you’ve experienced addiction, consider sharing your story to help others know they are not alone.

• Support Recovery. Show your support to people in treatment and recovery. Even little things like removing triggers such as leftover prescription medications from your home can help support their recovery journey.

It’s so hard to see the road ahead in the midst of despair and heartbreak. It took years of healing before I could appreciate my journey and muster the courage to share it.

We can’t let stigma stand in our way – there’s too much at stake. Together, we can help #endoverdose.

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Learn more about how organizations nationwide use Deterra to make a difference in the fight against prescription drug misuse.  

The University of Houston PREMIER Center created a grant-funded program to prevent prescription drug misuse and distribute resources statewide.